Diri calls Duke pretender, alleges presidential ambition is bid for rehabilitation

Bayelsa State Governor Duoye Diri has publicly criticized Donald Duke, Presidential Candidate of Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), and opposed the decision to integrate the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project with the East-West road. During a state executive council meeting, Diri explained his disagreement with Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, who attempted to convince Diri by referencing President Bola Tinubu.

Diri firmly stated that the coastal road should remain a separate project and should not be merged with the East-West Road. He further expressed his surprise at Duke's claim that the coastal road was not feasible due to Bayelsa State's swamplike nature, highlighting that the state capital, Yenagoa, is situated in such an environment.

Duke's remark also sparked Diri's anger when he mentioned that Duke had no PRP representatives in Cross River State, despite claiming to champion the party's cause. Diri concluded by labeling Duke as a "jester" and a "pretender," emphasizing that his comments were not only directed at him but also affected the people and environment of Bayelsa State.